On April 27, 2009 at 2:50 p.m. The Honourable Dr. Ted Morton, Minister of Sustainable Resource Development stood up in the Alberta Legislature and introduced what would become a very controversial piece of legislation. Bill 36 would become the Alberta Land Stewardship Act (2009) that would cause alliances to change and pit Albertans against each…… Continue reading Everything according to plan … but whose plan? The Alberta Land Stewardship Act (2009)
Commentaries
Defining Our Place and Space … Choices and Constraints
Whether it is by choice or constraint, we ultimately define what type of community we call home. There are three sets of questions one needs to contemplate when reflecting on past choices, and current and future constraints for their community. The first set of questions deals with the past choices and/or constraints, that is, why…… Continue reading Defining Our Place and Space … Choices and Constraints
Municipal Taxation … after 2200 years the Rosetta Stone still does not apply
At least once a year, most property owners reflect on whether or not property taxes are going to increase. Most feel any increase is bad, no increase is good, but a decrease is even better! The property tax we pay is composed of a few different components and based on a few different factors. In…… Continue reading Municipal Taxation … after 2200 years the Rosetta Stone still does not apply
Rocky View 2010 Budget: Overview
Rocky View County’s Budget Highlights – “2010-2012 Budget provides resources to meet Councils objectives set out in the Strategic Plan”, “Programs currently provided by the County will be maintained unless adjustments are directed by Council”, “… 2010 Base Budget forms the basis for expense and revenue assumptions in 2011 and 2012”, and “… Municipal tax…… Continue reading Rocky View 2010 Budget: Overview
Bretton Woods, London, Geneva, Havana: Origins of Internationalism
“Money is of secondary importance, the management of the economy comes first. When the economy is not healthy, the currency cannot be healthy. In the framework of a healthy European economy and of an intelligent division of labour between the various European countries, the monetary technique. Obviously, the Reichsmark will have a dominating position. The…… Continue reading Bretton Woods, London, Geneva, Havana: Origins of Internationalism
The Effectiveness of Antidumping Laws
Introduction One of the most recent controversial topics in international trade has been the role of antidumping laws. This paper examines the origins of antidumping laws and their economic rationale. The purpose of antidumping law is to protect domestic industries from injurious and unfair dumping practices of foreign firms. Dumping is defined as “…where the…… Continue reading The Effectiveness of Antidumping Laws
From Trade to Autarky and Back Again! Economic Review of Chile Between 1945 – 2000
Introduction Over the past 55 years, Chile has adopted extreme trade policies from a relatively closed economy to a largely open economy. These extreme policy changes can be divided into two-time frames: a) 1945-1973 “import-substitution era”, and b) 1973-2000 “trade expansion”. The major change in 1973 was due to a military coup, led by General…… Continue reading From Trade to Autarky and Back Again! Economic Review of Chile Between 1945 – 2000
Analysis of the Efficiency and Equity of Green Taxes
According to enthusiasts for green taxes, taxation is the way to a better environment and a healthier economy. True or false? Unfortunately, in a world of convenience, pollution is the price we pay for those conveniences. Automobile manufacturing releases smog in the atmosphere, but we demand more gasoline cars. Complaining about garbage dumps increasing in…… Continue reading Analysis of the Efficiency and Equity of Green Taxes
Elementary, My Dear Theophrastus, Elementary
“Elementary, my dear Watson, elementary” summarizes Aristotle’s reasoning and rationalization of the natural world during his lifetime. In “On Natural Motions and the Existence of the Fifth Element” article, through careful examination and observation of natural elements, Aristotle was able to classify and categorize all “examinable things” into two main body types: simple or compounded,…… Continue reading Elementary, My Dear Theophrastus, Elementary
Free Telecommunication Policy in Canada: Feasible or Fairytale?
Introduction The expansion of telecommunication technology, in particular the development of the Information Highway, has placed Canadians on the edge of a new frontier. This new frontier is a deeper adventure into the channels of human interaction and interpersonal communication. The advancement of telecommunication technology would provide the ability to communicate and share individual ideas…… Continue reading Free Telecommunication Policy in Canada: Feasible or Fairytale?